as in restores
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
a day on which the faithful are expected to purge themselves of their sins through prayer and fasting
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Recent Examples of purges
Unless the Heat releases Terry Rozier or purges some other salary in a trade, Miami would not have enough space to sign a 15th player to a standard contract — and remain under the luxury tax line — until December.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purges
Verb
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Crow also celebrated the ruling, which temporarily restores members of Congress's right to visit federal detention facilities unannounced.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
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February 19 – March 20 When pressures pull inward, compassion restores balance.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The hybrid gel-cream formula creates a rich, foamy lather that cleanses without stripping moisture.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
1 Jan. 2026
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Droves of customers just bought this Garnier micellar water that expertly removes makeup and gently cleanses the skin without stripping it bare.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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After a bloody final battle, Clarisse (Dior Goodjohn) finally completes her quest and heals Thalia’s tree with the Golden Fleece.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2026
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In following her to this point, however, this long-game project gives remarkable dimension and particularity to the kind of migrant story often only told in journalistic generalities — showing, year on year, how time heals some wounds, opens others, and creates plenty of its own.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Plastic water bottles have been largely eliminated as the resort purifies and bottles its own water.—
John Newton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
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In Hinduism, the deity Ganga is an eminent mother figure who purifies, pardons, and provides moksha, the ultimate eternal bliss.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purges. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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